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Custom Game Types

November 30, 2024

CloudArcade was initially designed for native HTML5 games. However, with the introduction of custom game types (since CloudArcade v1.9.5), site owners can now expand their gaming content to include various types of games and emulators. This powerful feature opens up new possibilities for creating diverse gaming portals.

What Are Custom Game Types?

Custom game types allow CloudArcade to handle different types of games beyond traditional HTML5 games. Each game type can have its own template and handling method, making it possible to support various gaming technologies through a unified system.

Key Features

  • Template-Based System: Each game type uses its own template for displaying games, ensuring optimal presentation for different technologies
  • Plugin Support: Developers can create plugins that add new game types
  • Seamless Integration: Custom games integrate naturally with existing features like categories, tags, and user systems
  • Unified Management: All games, regardless of type, can be managed through the same admin interface

Important Notes About Compatibility

While custom game types offer great flexibility, there are some important requirements to keep in mind:

  • Content must be compatible with modern web browsers
  • Games/content must be able to run in an iframe
  • Content must be web-based (HTML, JavaScript, etc.)

This means you can create custom game types for:

  • Browser-based emulators
  • HTML-based video players
  • Interactive web applications
  • Any web content that can run in an iframe

Some examples of what you can build:

  • Flash game player (like our Flash Emulator plugin)
  • HTML5 video player
  • Custom game frameworks
  • Browser-based console emulators
  • Interactive HTML applications

Remember: The content you create must be able to run in a web browser and be compatible with iframe embedding. This ensures your games will work properly within the CloudArcade system.

Practical Applications

Here are some ways custom game types can be utilized:

  1. Flash Game Support
    • Run Flash games using modern emulators like Ruffle
    • Preserve classic Flash games in your portal
    • No Flash Player required
  2. Retro Game Emulation
    • Add console game emulators
    • Support various ROM formats
    • Create dedicated retro gaming sections
  3. Custom HTML Games
    • Include games with special requirements
    • Support unique game engines
    • Add games with custom configurations

Technical Capabilities

Custom game types in CloudArcade are designed to be flexible and extensible. Developers can:

  • Define new game types
  • Create custom display templates
  • Handle specific file types
  • Implement special requirements
  • Add custom configurations

Future Potential

This feature opens up numerous possibilities for CloudArcade portals:

  • Support for emerging game technologies
  • Integration with new emulation systems
  • Custom game development frameworks
  • Specialized gaming experiences

Getting Started

To utilize custom game types, site owners need to:

  1. Install appropriate plugins for desired game types
  2. Configure the templates and settings
  3. Add games using the new game types

Example Plugin: Flash Emulator

CloudArcade’s Flash Emulator plugin serves as both a practical tool and a reference implementation for custom game types. This official plugin demonstrates how to:

  • Implement a custom game type (“flash”)
  • Integrate third-party technology (Ruffle JS)
  • Handle special file types (SWF files)
  • Create custom game templates

Developers interested in creating their own custom game types can use the Flash Emulator plugin as a reference. The plugin’s structure and implementation provide a solid foundation for understanding how to:

  • Register new game types
  • Create file management systems
  • Implement custom templates
  • Handle game-specific requirements

Conclusion

Custom game types represent a significant advancement in CloudArcade’s capabilities, allowing site owners to create more diverse and comprehensive gaming portals. Whether preserving classic Flash games or implementing new gaming technologies, this feature provides the flexibility needed for modern game portals.

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